Bratislava

MOSCOW, April 4. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who arrived in Bratislava on Friday, will take part in ceremonies timed for the 70th anniversary of the Slovak capital’s liberation by the Red Army. The memorable events will take place at the war memorial complex Slavin Hill.

Together with Slovak officials Lavrov will lay wreathes and remember World War II victims and heroes. Lavrov and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico are to make brief speeches. Medals will be awarded to a group of World War II veterans.

Later in the day the chief Russian diplomat will hold talks with his Slovak counterpart Miroslav Lajcak. The two men will discuss Russian-Slovak relations and future political contacts.

"The foreign ministers will consider priority issues on the European and international agenda. Russia and Slovakia take identical or close stance on many of them," the Russian Foreign Ministry said on the eve of the visit. "The agenda will include the situation in Ukraine, the role of the OSCE in implementing the Minsk Accords of February 12, Russia-EU relations, situations in the Middle East and the Balkans, and plans for further interaction in international organizations."

On the eve of the forthcoming V-Day anniversary Lavrov and Lajcak will discuss resistance to a revision of World War II results and cooperation in war memorials maintenance.

"Russia appreciates the respect and attention the people of Slovakia show towards the memory of Soviet soldiers and officers who died while liberating that country and are grateful to Slovakia for the care it takes of military cemeteries and memorials," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.